Jeremy walked in, carrying his computer. “I was searching the old Harvest Club site to see if it had been taken down. Low and behold, see what I found.” He set the laptop down on the table. “It’s a new site that is recruiting civic-minded people wanting to make a difference in the world. It reads suspiciously like the old Harvest Club site. They call themselves The Collector’s Club. It’s set up the same way with lots of protections. It’s hard to maneuver around in it unless you’re a club member or me.” He grinned at them. “This is just my thought. I’m attempting to trace the origin of the site now. It isn’t in Blue Cove. I know that for sure.”
“The picture is getting a little clearer.” Matt wrote a few names on a piece of paper. “Could you check and see if any of these folks have an offshore account with recently added money in them?”
“I would be happy to.” Jeremy picked up the paper Matt pushed toward him.
“I’ll call Tom Maxwell as soon as we have a location or a little more evidence. For now, I have to stay clear-headed so I can deal with Irwin. It’s not easy to figure out what his next move will be. You’re awfully quiet.” He looked at Jessie. “What’s up?”
“Irwin is active. I can feel it.”
“What do you mean by active?”
“He’s planning his next action. Unlike Mallory, he won’t announce it. He wants to keep us guessing and off our game. It’s like a chess match—we have to see the big picture and anticipate his next move. For whatever it’s worth, he has shifted his attention.”
“I don’t know if I like the sound of that. What do you mean?” Matt frowned.
“I was someone to keep Mallory under control. Irwin will do whatever he needs to do to walk away from this mess unscathed. He’ll use whatever situation presents itself. The thing is a guy like him would be a premium to a group that needed to recruit new members and keep its people in line.”
“Jess, you’re an angel—” Matt’s phone interrupted his thought. Jessie’s phone rang next.
“Hi, Grams, is everything all right?” Jessie’s voice rose. “Stay calm, we’ll be right there. Remain in the car with the doors locked where he can’t see you. Did you call the police? We’re on our way.”
“Jess?” He looked at her.
“Irwin kidnapped Katie and some others at gunpoint.” She started running toward the door.
“Wait a second. I’m right behind you.” Matt grabbed his gun and badge off the table as he raced after her.
“I’m going with you guys. Don’t even think of leaving me behind.” Jeremy followed them out.
“Katie is in the middle of a hostage situation. The police are on the scene.” Matt grabbed her arm. “Slow down, Jess, remember we’re a team. We do this together.”
Chapter 32
Matt stayed in contact with Tony en route to the store. “Don’t worry, Jess,” he glanced at her briefly. “Sadie’s fine and she’s waiting in a safe place.” He saw relief sweep across Jessie’s face. “She kept her head and called the police first. Your grandmother is one sharp lady.”
“She is at that. I should have known something like this would happen. I said he was going to change his tactics,” she said brokenly, “but I had no clue he would take Katie.”
“You can’t know everything, Jess. Besides, the police are there. They have the store surrounded, and the perimeter is secure.” He signaled and changed lanes. “So far they haven’t heard any demands from Irwin. There’s no word on the hostages either.”
“Is that good or bad?” She fiddled with her badge.
“It tells us very little.” Matt glanced quickly at her. “If Irwin is anything like other perps in a similar situation, he’ll want to control the way it plays out. He’ll make demands when he wants to make them. They surrounded the store, so there’s no way out for him.” Matt frowned. “I wish I knew what he was thinking.”
“The thing is he’s not like others; he doesn’t fit the norms.” Jessie closed her eyes. It was silent in the car, but the atmosphere felt charged. Matt waited. “He’s not in a panic,” she said eventually, her eyes still closed. “I know that much. He’s methodical. He has a plan.” She looked at Matt. “He’s not worried about being caught. Katie was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t feel he’s even thinking about her or about anyone else that might be in there.”
“They’ll just be collateral damage if anything happens to them,” Jeremy spoke from the back seat. “Can’t you go any faster?” He gripped the back of Matt’s seat.
“I’m not in a cruiser, so the answer is no. I’m going too fast as it is, and we have no time to be stopped. Hold tight, we’re almost there.” Matt rounded the corner quickly, slamming on his brakes and skidding to a stop. His door flew open as he leaped out, followed by Jeremy.
“Stay put,” he called to Jessie who was running toward Sadie. Matt spotted Tony and headed toward him. “What are we looking at?”
“This is what I know so far.” Tony motioned to one of his cops to head around to the back of the store. “Irwin followed the owner into the shop when she opened up this morning. He forced the customers waiting for the store to open to go inside at gunpoint. Sadie was in the car and saw him grab Katie and push her in with the others. Sadie said he didn’t seem to recognize Katie. He was acting strangely is how she put it.”
“How long did it take you to get here and set up operations?” His eyes narrowed as he scanned the storefront.
“We were here within five minutes and had the store surrounded.” Tony ran his hands through his hair. “We’ve called to him on the bullhorn. No response, nothing. We have no way of reaching him to talk him down. I’ve tried calling the store, but he’s not picking up.”
“So no demands and no communication.” Matt frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that. Have you had any sight of the hostages?”
“We’ve seen no movement inside the store since we arrived.”
Matt stood with his legs apart; his arms folded across his chest. “It has to be some kind of trap. I wish I knew what was going on in his freaking mind.” He frowned in concentration. “Suicide by cop, do you think? I mean, what are we looking at?”
“He was carrying a bag, Sadie said. It could be a sniper situation. But, he doesn’t seem to play by the same rules.” Tony glanced toward the storefront as he spoke.
Matt noticed Jessie walking toward them. She was wearing that look of hers. “What’s on your mind?”
“I think he’s planning something unusual; an event that’s spectacular in his mind. With his knowledge of the occult, the store’s name is a dead giveaway to me; Strange Artifacts.” She frowned. “I don’t think he’s worried about you guys being out here, which makes me wonder.”
“You’re right. He controls things in a different way.” Matt looked at Tony. “Let’s not give him time to put his plan into action. We need to get the hostages out of there.”
Suddenly a small explosion rattled the glass windows and door. Smoke filled the store. “Let’s use it!” Tony waved them into the shop, and they ran in. Bursting through the door, they spread out, guns drawn.
No fire. No sign of Irwin, just the hostages.
Katie was sitting propped against the counter with the others, coughing now as the smoke settled to the floor. He had bound their hands behind them and tied their feet together. Matt bent beside her, pulling the tape from her mouth and motioning for her to be quiet. They quickly untied the hostages, helped them up, and hustled them away from the store.
“Where is Irwin,” he asked Katie as he half-carried her out of the building at a near run.
“He went upstairs, but he’s not right in his head.” Katie tilted her head and shrugged.
“What do you mean?”
“It was like he never saw us; he just looked right through us. Once he had us tied up, he never came to check on us again.” She paused and rubbed her wrists. “He had us tie each other up while he held the gun to us. He was chanting and swaying back and forth. I couldn�
�t understand what he was doing.” Katie shivered. “To tell you the truth, he never needed to come back to check, we were all too afraid to move. I can’t explain it, but we couldn’t have moved if we tried.” Katie turned when she spied Jessie and Sadie.
“Don’t go anywhere. The police will want to question you.” He saw her nod.
More small explosions followed, a few minutes apart, each creating new billows of smoke.
Jessie sat down on a bench across from the store. Matt caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and sat down beside her. “What are you thinking, sweetheart?”
“I thought I would try something. It’s the only idea I have. I’m going to try what I did the two times he came to me. I’m not sure if it will do anything. But in case it does, you guys should be ready to take him down.” Her face was pale, but her gaze was steady. “He’ll be coming after me.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Matt studied her face.
“We have to do something.” Her lips tightened. “He’s up to no good.”
“I think you could say that about most bad guys.” He grinned at her and patted her hand.
“True, but I’m talking about something big. And dramatic. We are meant to be here for a reason.” She pushed her hair away from her face.
“I’ll give Tony the heads up. Wait a few minutes until I signal you before you begin. He may want to get some men in position first.” He stood up and then bent to look her in the eyes. “Look, Jess, from the beginning, this whole case was different. This case drew you the moment Evan Foster walked into your store and told you about his dream with you in it. I believe that you’ll be the one to finish it with Irwin.” He noticed her puzzled expression. “What can I say? I’m starting to believe all kinds of unconventional stuff since I started hanging out with you.” He touched her cheek. “Besides, it would be nice if we could get through this day without anyone getting hurt.”
“You sound like Reba.” She grinned at him. He made a face and then smiled.
****
She sat alone and watched for Matt’s signal. He was standing by Tony and a few other officers next to a patrol car. He motioned to her a few minutes later. Suddenly, she saw Tony’s eyes go wide with terror. He stumbled back, grabbed at his neck, and fell to the ground. The shadow power, the one that had nearly killed her. She had to find a way to stop it, to break Irwin’s control over it. The words began to tumble through her mind as Tony writhed on the ground and officers raced to his aid. They couldn’t help him.
She was the gatekeeper. The battle began. Shadowy figures were dancing all around the store, inside and out. Drumbeats filled the air while the shadow dancers moved in ritualistic unison. Each time she said the words to the song, they stopped and stared at her. She heard Tony gasp for air in the distance. He was still alive. But, the shadows moved around him in a frenzy jabbing at his throat with spears. Irwin had worked them up again, and she fought to calm them down. Time stood still. At one point, she felt herself gaining strength and felt theirs start to diminish. Yes! She grew stronger the more she spoke the words. Finally, they stopped, all facing her, eyes tiny sparks of black light. She drew on every bit of strength that she had. Go! She told them. Go away and never do the bidding of this man or any other ever again! For an instant, they stared at her, and her heart trembled. We depart. The whispers filled her head resembling the sound of the wind. Thank you for freeing us. We will honor our word to do as you say. They slunk away into nothingness, no longer moved by Irwin’s bidding. They were gone. She saw Tony struggle to sit up rubbing his neck. His officers would not let him move until the paramedics looked at him.
Her eyes slowly closed as she concentrated her thoughts one more time. Come and get me, Irwin. I’m the one you want, she taunted. His anger was building. She could feel it. Come and get me if you think you’re strong enough. She knew the minute he began to move. He was coming. She opened her eyes just as he came crashing through the door. He picked up speed, shaking his fists in the air, screaming insults. His eyes locked on hers; he rushed toward her, his face contorted in a rage, screaming obscenities at her. Dimly she heard people shouting. Two of the officers tackled him, and he flung them away like toys. He slammed another officer aside, still coming. Matt was running toward her, his gun drawn. She had her gun out; her hand had closed on it without conscious thought. Slowly she lifted it. He was close now, huge, looming over her. Her arm shook as she forced the gun higher and finally, finally squeezed the trigger.
Click!
He was almost on her! Suddenly he fell forward, an officer on his back. She heard herself scream and kicked at his hand as his fingers fastened like a claw around her ankle. It took several police officers to hold him down. Matt had to pry Irwin’s fingers away from her ankle. Finally subdued, Irwin was cuffed and shackled.
Jessie watched a large black shadow lift out of Irwin’s prone body and fly away. Irwin was powerless. She stood up at the same time Matt and Taylor stood Irwin on his feet. She gasped for breath, trembling. She met his hate-filled glare and, one eyebrow rose slightly. “I hardly know you and I don’t understand your hatred.”
“You’ve ruined everything, you and your news articles, your misplaced sense of justice, and your stupid crusades. Look what you’ve done to me.” She jerked her head back slightly as spittle spattered her face. “You’ll never know what you’ve ruined. I didn’t want Mallory to die.” He twisted to scream the words to her as they hauled him to the waiting cruiser. “I wanted you to die.” He started cursing her, struggling at every step.
The screams continued as they forced him into the backseat of the cop car and drove away.
“What the hell did he do? Not one gun would fire.” Matt looked at her face. “Will you be okay?” Matt put his arm around her and pulled her to his side.
“I think so. I just don’t understand his hatred or his power.” She looked up at him, her face pale. “Why me?”
“That’s beyond me, Jess. Hatred is a tricky thing to figure out. There’s often no good reason for it.” He stroked her back. “What did you do to rile him?”
“I’ll explain later…go do what you need to get done. I think I need to sit down for a minute. It was a strange experience, which has left me drained. I hope I never go through this again.” She pulled out of his arms and her lips tightened.
“I want to know what happened.” He frowned at her. “Are you sure you’re okay.”
She nodded at him. “I’m fine. Go on, you need to check on Tony. He should be okay now. They’re gone.” She shivered.
“Who are gone, or should I ask?”
“It’s a little hard to explain, but they’re gone. I’ll tell you later.”
“Are you sure it’s over?” She nodded at him. “I thought he was going to die. He couldn’t breathe.” Matt glanced in Tony’s direction. “None of this makes any sense. You and I, we’ll talk later.” He walked over to where the paramedics were checking Tony, who was still rubbing his neck. His officers huddled off to the side with concerned faces.
Jessie sat with Sadie for a few minutes and then went in search of Katie. She found her locked in an embrace with Jeremy. He was talking to her, and she heard Katie sigh. Jessie backed away and turned so they couldn’t see the big smile on her face. Her two friends, how cool was that? Sweet, at least something good might have come out of this fiasco.
“Sadie, do they still need to question you or can I take you home?
“I’ll talk to the officer and see, but I’m ready to leave if they say I can.” She went to speak to Matt and one of the officers. Jessie saw him nod.
“Grams, this hasn’t been much of a vacation for you.” She linked her arm through Sadie’s as they started for the car. “I think you should come to Blue Cove for my store’s grand opening.”
“I’d planned on it, dear.” Her eyes crinkled, a smile lit up her face. “This has been the most excitement I’ve had in years.”
“Be careful, Grams, it has a way of
growing on you.” Jessie smiled at her grandmother. “I moved to Blue Cove for a quiet life and looked what happened to me.”
“It’s put roses in your cheeks, given you a handsome young man, and more excitement than any girl could ask for.” Sadie climbed into the passenger seat of the car and clicked on her seatbelt.
“I want to get away from here and go home.” Jessie fastened her seatbelt too.
“I think we should fly home tomorrow. I’ll call the airlines and see if we can change our tickets.” Sadie patted Jessie’s hand.
“I’d like that, and why don’t you come stay with me at the Cove.” Jessie pulled the car out of the parking space.
“Should we wait for Katie and Jeremy?”
“I don’t think so. The police want to question the hostages, and Jeremy will take care of her.” The corner of Jessie’s lip twitched.
“Katie likes him a lot.” Sadie looked out the window. “Even better, I think he likes her, too. He steals glances at her when he doesn’t think anyone is looking. She bewilders him a little. Maybe this little event will awaken him to just how short life is, and he’ll stop dillydallying.”
“I think you may be right about that. It was the perfect wake-up call for him.” She smiled. “I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of Jeremy in Blue Cove. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he moved there.” Jessie smiled and then chuckled when she saw that they were still hugging as she drove past them.
****
Matt stood with Tony as he questioned each of the hostages. Tony let them leave after they gave one of his officers their personal information.
The Game Changer Page 23